Today is the 109th birthday of the late author George Orwell. Hailing from London, Orwell permanently insinuated himself into modern and post-modern literary discussions by bonking the culture on the collective head with his brilliant works of fantastical satire. Best known for his novels, 1984 and Animal Farm, Orwell often used science fiction and fantasy to delineate his anti-fascist and humanitarian views.
He also wrote non-science fiction like Keep the Aspidistra Flying and numerous non-fiction essays criticizing fascism and other power structures oppressive to free thought and human individuality. Orwell was an unequaled champion among authors who sought to make a difference with their writing. At the very least, he altered the way we read dystopian science fiction forever.
In honor of him on his birthday, chime in below by telling us how Orwell changed the way you read!